Acacia pendula

A.Cunn. ex G.Don

Fabaceae

Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[

Common Name: Weeping Myall

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General Information

Acacia pendula is a tree with a rounded crown and pendulous branches; it can grow from 6 - 13 metres tall. It usually produces a single trunk, which can be 1 - 4 metres tall before branching to produce 2 - 4 ascending main stems[

The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.

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The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It can be used in soil stabilization projects and is grown as an ornamental.
Acacia pendula is a widespread species common on medium to heavy dark riverine soils in New South Wales, Queensland and isolated subpopulations in South Australia and Victoria in Australia. It is also cultivated in other countries. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[

The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.

].

Properties

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Medicinal Rating

Other Uses Rating

Habit

Tree

Height

10.00 m

Growth Rate

Medium

Pollinators

Insects

Cultivation Status

Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia pendula is a plant of the warm temperate and subtropical zones, just entering into the tropics, and is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 4 - 34°c[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

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Because of its pale, silvery foliage and form of the crown of the tree, this species has been cultivated extensively in Australia and in many other countries including Iran and Kuwait, being grown as a street tree and also used in landscaping[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

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This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[

An online database listing plants that have either positive or negative reports on root and stem nodulation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

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Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.

]. It dissolves entirely in cold water, forming a perfectly clear, almost colourless solution of a brownish tint. Like some other wattle-gums, this would require selecting for the market. There is a marked difference in appearance between the old and new gum of this tree. The new gum is in rounded pieces, and very similar in appearance and usual size to Senegal gum (Senegalia senegal) and Aden gum arabic. The gum which remains long on the trees becomes filled with minute fissures. The fissures, which radiate from the centre of a lump, cause the lump to break into sub-triangular or conical pieces[

Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.

].

The colour of the wood is a rich, warm brown with darker and lighter streaks. It is close-grained, heavy, very hard, and possesses a highly aromatic scent, but not the same as that of Acacia acuminata (q.v.), for which wood it has sometimes been mistaken. It is very suitable for turnery, as it makes splendid handles of all kinds for bowls, mauls, etc[

An excellent and comprehensive book on timbers. Rather dated, but still a main source of information for many of the less known woods. It can be downloaded from the Internet.

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The tree's heartwood colour of deep chocolate brown to dark toffee orange, coupled with its peculiar fragrance of violets which can remain for many years, has drawn the interest of fine wood working craftsman for the manufacturing of furniture, fancy boxes etc[

Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

].

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[